Variable relation of feed and cutoff



May 15, 1934. K. w. HALLDEN VARIABLE RELATION OF FEED AND CUT-OFF Filed Jan. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l- VARIABLE RELATION OF FEED AND CUT-QFF Filed Jan. 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 43 /II III 4 35 J IIFIIIIILZL'II I a 35 4| so 39 fnvenzur' y 1934- K. w. HALLDEN ,958,538

VARIABLE RELATION OF FEED AND CUT-OFF I Filed Jan. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 In vEnzar' VARIABLE RELATION OF FEED AND CUT-OFF Filed Jan. 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .fnvenzur MOM W'JWen Patented May 15, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VARIABLE RELATION OF FEED AND CUT- OFF 15 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in mechanism that operates to provide a variable relation of feed and cut-oil in machines that are used for cutting-off material that is supplied in rolls into uniform lengths, such as sheet metal or wire or rod material, either of steel or brass, and which machines operate to effect such cuttingoff while the stock is fed continuously through the machine and involve for their efficient operation a definite relation of the rate of the feed of the stock by the feed rolls and the rate of movement of the cutting-off mechanism, the latter involving the rate of rotation of a transverse shaft or the like that drives the said cutting-off mechanism, and the object of my improvement is to produce mechanism that provides for such definite relation during a short portion of the period of rotation of the transverse or cutting shaft that comprises the actual moment of cut-off, and that permits of varying such definite relation during the remainder and major portion of the period.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved mechanism for providing a variable relation of feed and cut-off as applied to a machine for cutting sheet metal into equal lengths, of the form in which the stock is fed continuously through the machine, the feed rolls being continuously driven, the transverse or cutting shaft likewise being continuously rotated, the cutting-off being effected by means of a gate cutter, the feed and cutting features being designated diagrammatically,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation showing some of the parts diagrammatically.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the variable speed device that is shown in Fig. 1 and associated parts.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is a view of the opposite side.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view, showing the control lever and associated parts.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a mechanism that differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in the use of a rotary cutter in lieu of the gate cutter.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the same, corresponding to Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a mechanism that differs from that of Fig. 1 in that the periodic speed varying detail is applied to the feed end instead of to the transverse or cutting shaft.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary end elevation of the same.

Fig. 11 is a view corresponding to Fig. 3 of the variable feed device that is shown in Fig. 9 and with the parts in a different position from what is shown in said Fig. 3.

- houses a motor, the device operating hydrauli- My improved mechanism for providing a variable relation of feed and cut-off as shown in Figs.

1 to 6 inclusive is applied to a cutting-of! machine for use with sheet metal in which the feed rolls 10 that deliver the stock to the cutter 11 are op- 00 erated in the usual manner as applied to continuous feed machines in which the stock is delivered continuously to the cutter and the said outter is provided with a gate structure 12 that operates in ways in uprights 13 and that carries 5 the upper moving cutting-tool 14. Said tool or knife 14 cooperates with a fixed lower knife 15 for effecting the cutting of the stock that is fed therebetween.

During the actual cutting the knives 14 and 15 are carried forwardly as parts of a flying shear structure, the details of which do not enter into the present invention. What is of importance is that for proper operation at the moment of cutting the rate of forward movement of the knives is the same as the forward movement of the stock. This is the condition that comprises what is referred to above as the definite relation of the rate of the feed of the stock by the rolls and the rate of movement of the cutting-off mechanism. In machines heretofore in use this relation besides being definite was likewise fixed, with the result that the same lengths only could be cut-off with a particular setting.

In the present structure the definite and proper 35 relation is maintained at the proper moment for cutting and provision is made for varying the rate at other times.

The feedrolls 10 are/driven from a shaft 16 on which is'a gear 1'7 that is driven by a gear 18 on an intermediate shaft 19. The shaft 19 is provided with a gear 20 that meshes with a gear 21 on the shaft 22 of the electric motor 23.

On the motor shaft 22 is a gear 24 that drives through intermediate devices the transverse or cutting shaft 25.

Said intermediate devices comprise a variable speed transmission device 26, the particular form shown being of the form shown in Catalogue No. 114, 1928, of The Waterbury Tool Company, Wa- 1 terbury, Connecticut. Said device comprises a receiving shaft 27 on the side of a casing structure 28 that houses a pump and a delivery shaft 29 on the side of a second casing structure 30 that cally. The shaft 29 is operatively connected to the cutting shaft 25 by means of a spur gear 31 on the shaft 29 and a driven gear 32 on the cutting shaft 25.

A gear 33 on the receiving shaft 27 meshes with the gear 24 on the motor shaft 22.

Thus means are provided for driving the cutter shaft 25 through the medium of the variable speed device 26, and for effecting a variation of the speed of the cutter shaft. Means are provided for controlling such variation under conditions of use.

The device 26 itself is controlled by means of a stem 34 that projects upwardly from the pump housing 28, changes being effected by depressing and elevating said stem, the maximum speed for the driven shaft 29 corresponding to the high position of the stem and lower speeds being obtained as the stem is depressed.

Therefore, the control means involve means for controlling the position of the stem.

In use, a fixed maximum speed is provided for a period or part of a period corresponding to an angular movement of the cutting shaft 25 of about ninety degrees that includes the moment of cut-oil. This condition is achieved by means of a fixed stop 35 that is in registration with the stem 34 and serves to limit the upward movement thereof for the proper interval of time.

Actual operative contact of the stem 34 with the stop 35 is effected through the medium of an elongated cap structure 36 that is screwed onto the top end thereof.

The control lever 37 is provided adjacent the end of the work-arm 38 with an actuating pin 39 that is off-set to one side of the body of the lever 37 and that is operatively connected to the stem 34 through the medium of the cap structure 36, being entered into a bearing structure 40 that is housed within the cup structure 36 and seated on curved seats 41 to compensate for changes in the angular relation and swinging movement as the stem is moved up and down.

The fulcrum for the lever 37 is in the form of a pin 42 that is carried by a block 43 and that is itself adapted to be moved by an adjusting screw 44 for fully one-half of the length of the lever. The adjusting screw 44 operatively crosses the path of the actuating pin, a condition that is permitted by reason of the off-set detail of the said pin, and the parts are constructed and arranged so that the pivotal pin 42 can be pulled toward the right, as shown, the full length of the work-arm 38, as determined by the point of contact of the actuating pin 39 with the cap structure 36. Under this condition there will be no leverage effect at all; the stem 34 will be continuously held in the uppermost position against the stop 35; and maximum speed condition will be existent.

The power-arm 45 of the lever 37 is operatively connected with the cutter shaft 25 or an extension 46 thereof in a peculiar manner. The actual control element is found in a control pin 47 that is provided on the end face 48 of said extension 46 and that is located eccentrically. Operating details are determined by this pin 47.

The ninety degree full speed condition mentioned, with the stop 35 functioning, corresponds to the lowermost position or positions of this control pin 47, and the limits thereof are indicated by the two forty-five degree lines shown at the end face 48 in Fig. 3. One line 49 is located at forty-five degrees to one side of the bottom vertical radius and the other line 49 at forty-five degrees on the other side thereof.

In positions outside the zone defined by the lines 49 the control pin 47 is relatively elevated in changing degree, the changes being rythmatic and smooth, and the lever 37 will be tilted, the connection with the control pin being by means of a connecting-rod 50 and other devices.

Said other devices comprise a head 51 that is connected at its lower end to the connecting-rod 50 by means of a pin 52; that is guided for vertical movement in fixed ways 53; that is itself provided with limited vertical ways 54 in the upper portion; a block 55 sliding in said limited ways 54; the lower limit for the ways 54 being in the form of a seat 56 for said block 55; and, the upper ends of said limited ways 54 being closed by means of a seat 57 for a coil spring 58.

The power-arm 45 is connected to the sliding block 55 by means of a pin 59.

The essential connections and operating elements have been mentioned. The entire structure is supported by means of a frame 60 of sturdy form.

The yielding connection for the lever 37 will be further explained. During the major portion of the rotation of the cutter shaft 25, which may be designated as the control shaft, the block 55 is'held seated on the seat 56 by the spring 58 and the stem 34 is actuated responsive to the reciprocation of the lever 37 and the rotation of the control shaft 25, all this while the control pin 47 is outside of the ninety degree zone defined by the forty-five degree lines 49.

The zone mentioned is designated by the character 61.

While the control pin 47 is traveling through the zone 61 the lever 37 is held against movement by the cap 35; the connecting rod 50 continues to move uninterruptedly; the spring 58 yields; and the block 55 is lifted away from its seat 56.

Mention has been made of a definite relation of feed and cut-off. A common relation would be a feed at the rate of one-hundred feet per minute and cutting off controlled by the cutting shaft or control shaft by rotation thereof at the rate of, fifty revolutions a minute. The stock would be cut into lengths of two feet. By the use of the present invention as so far described longer lengths would be cut-off.

In the structure that is shown in Figs. 7 and 8 a rotary cutter is' used for severing the stock, comprising a lower roll 71 and an upper roll 72 cooperating therewith, the latter carrying a radially projecting knife 73. The upper roll 72 is mounted on the transverse shaft or cutter shaft 74.

The cutter shaft 74 with its extension 75 constitutes the control shaft and is provided in its end face with a control pin 47 that operates in the manner already described to control the speed of rotation of the cutter shaft and rate of cut-off, involving the use of a variable speed device 76, also as already described.

In the structure that is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 a gate cutter is used as in Fig. 1 for severing the stock; stock feed rolls 81 are provided as before; a motor 82 drives both; a variable speed device 83 is provided; with the difference that the variable speed device is located in the transmission side of the feed rolls 81.

Thus the delivery shaft 84 of the speed device 83 by its spur gear 85 drives the gear 86 that is on the shaft 87 that drives the feed rolls 81. The receiving shaft 88 is driven by the gear 89 that meshes with the gear 90 on the motor shaft 91.

Another spur gear 92 on the motor shaft 91 drives a gear 93 on a counter-shaft 94 and a spur gear 95 on the latter drives a gear 96 that is on the transverse or cutter shaft 97. v

Instead of utilizing the cutter shaft 9'7 or an extension thereof directly as the control shaft an equivalent result is attained by using as the control shaft 98 a counter-shaft that is driven at the same speed by means of a gear 99 that is of the same size as gear 96 and is driven by the same spur gear 95.

The control shaft 98 effects the control precisely like the shaft extension 46 in the structure of Fig. 1 by means of a control pin in the end face.

Thus it will be noted that the control shaft is a shaft structure that makes rotative'movement at the same speed as the cutter shaft; which involves a cutting operation of the knife structure for each revolution; and said shaft structure may be identical with the cutter shaft; may bean extension thereof, whether integral or not; and, may be a separate or counter-shaft structure.

The mechanism described is adapted to effect a clean cut of materials in common use, regardless of thickness or width, and, what is of especial importance, of materials of the heavier form. The mechanism described is applied to sheet material. The principles involved are applicable to material of wire or bar form.

The acme of perfection would be expected to be reached under conditions in which the stock during the cutting period is stationary, as in mechanism operating intermittently, involving feeding the stock, stopping the feed, cutting, and then repeating. This condition is actually met in mechanism that operates to effect the cutting the stock while in motion by having the cutting devices operate at a prescribed ratio of movement to that of the feeding rolls that corresponds to the conditions of the most efficient cutting of the material. In a flying shear structure the cutting mechanism comprises an operating shaft that actuates the cutting tools along the stock at the same rate as that of said stock during the period of the cutting. This shaft makes one revolution for each cutting; is operated intermittently, involving the use of clutch devices for effecting the drive and braking devices for checking, and suitable stops and the like; a gate cutter structure is propelled along the stock and returned to the initial position for each revolution of the shaft; and the cutting is effected during such forward movement. Thus the period needed for effecting the cutting can be and is provided.

As to the period of cutting mentioned, this when properly analyzed, comprises an appreciable time extent. The term moment of cutting" is iable to be misunderstood. While the action actually is quick and the actual time consumed is small, and such action may seem to be instantaneous, such is not the case.

Instantaneous operation would be destructive of cutting tools and the cooperating mechanism. The use of the flying shear permits of the control of operations during the cutting period to substantially any conditions desired. The feed and control can be brought into harmony or synchronism. Thus with a feed of one-hundred feet per minute the condition for cutting may comprise for the best result a revolution of the cutter shaft,

involving a cutting for each revolution, of a rate of fifty revolutions a minute. In the ordinary flying shear structure or any other for that matter under these conditions the stock would be cut into two-foot lengths.

The present structure involves a departure from the synchronized condition mentioned in part only, considering the structure as a whole, with other departures following in the matter of details. This primary departure is the fact that, while the condition of synchronism is rigidly adhered to during the cutting period and fora safety stretch on each side of the actual period and which may be included as part of the cutting period, during any period remote from such cutting period-this condition of synchronism may be departed from and a condition employed to which I have applied the term unsynchronized or the like. One of the consequent departures is a variation of the length of cut, precisely what is wanted.

It is worth repeating that synchronism is retained during the severing of the stock.

There is a dwell during the cutting.

As to why a dwell is desirable may be noted in once more considering the time period of the cut, and applicable to conditions involved in operat-' ing upon heavy material.

The control of the cutting is effected by the cutting shaft or the equivalent in the form of a control shaft that rotates at the same speed. In the structure described an annular movement of ninety degrees of the control shaft may be said to be assigned to the cutting period. The remaining period of two-hundred and seventy degrees of a complete revolution is assigned to use for varying the ratio and in effecting the unsynchronism to 1-35 the extent desired, and involving the use of the variable speed device. The stop device checks the variable speed device during the period of dwell or the cutting period.

Thus one-fourth of each revolution of the con- 11: trol shaft is set aside for the synchronized condition.

In the synchronized machine it will be well to note that departures from a. given rate of operation, such as the hundred feet per minute of 15 the feed and fifty revolutions per minute of the control shaft, will not affect the. synchronism. They go together.

The only departure is during part of a revolution of the control shaft remote from the cutting period. And such limited departure only may be subject to the control of relatively inexperienced hands for manipulation and adjustment or the like.

The mode of operation'and the effect of adjustment will be given attention.

The entire invention is set forth in the drawings in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive.

The cutting shaft or cutter shaft 25 in the structure shown and described operates the .cutting mechanism of a flying shear of a well known form; is provided with a driven gear 32 that is driven by gear 31; and said gear 31 is mounted on the driven or delivery shaft 29 of the variable speed device 26.

The power receiving shaft 27 of the variable speed device 26 is driven from the motor.

Thus the power delivery for cutting is through the variable speed device. This latter may be of a form that is constructed and arranged to permit 14g of a full speed or one-hundred per cent speed delivery as the maximum; From this maximum by adjustment there will-be less speed for the power delivery shaft 29 than that of the power receiving shaft 27, the difference depending upon the particular setting of the variable speed dev1ce.

The particular form of variable speed device mentioned as being incorporated in the invention is a hydraulic device; the means for control there 150 of being the upwardly projecting stem 34; the higher delivered speeds corresponding to the upper or higher positions of the stem 34; and, therefore, reduction in speed is effected by depressing the stem 34.

Thus, with the stem 34 depressed below the maximum height there will be reduction in speed and if held fixedly in one depressed position there will be continuous operation of the cutter shaft at one speed that is below the maximum obtainable. This is a condition that may be obtained by means of the stop 35, Fig. 3, which is impinged by the cap structure 36 that is operatively a part of the stem 34.

Said stop 35 is located so that the maximum elevation permitted for the stem 34 is just right to provide for the proper synchronization of the feed and cut-off. With a feed rate of one-hundred feet per minute and rotation of the cutter shaft of fifty revolutions per minute the stock would be cut-off into two feet lengths, as mentioned, with such synchronization of operation sustained. Under this condition the pivotal pin 42 of the control lever 37 is pulled towards the right until its axis coincides operatively with the axis of the stem 34.

By such adjustment the work-arm 38 is effectively extinguished by being reduced to zero.

Starting from such a condition and assuming that it is desired to increase the lengths of the pieces that are to be severed from the stock length the pivotal pin 42- is shifted towards the left with its supporting block 43 by turning the adjusting screw 44. Thus an active work-arm 38 is provided that during part of a revolution of the cutter shaft and its rigid extension 46 is limited in its upward movement by the stop 35 and that during another part or the remainder of the revolution is free to move away or to be moved away from said stop 35 so as to depress the stem 34 and effect a reduction inthe rate of revolution of the cutter shaft 25. Thus a longer length of stock will be permitted to slip between the cutters before cutting.

The part of a revolution of the cutting shaft mentioned in the structure described is ninety degrees and the said another part is the remainder thereof.

The coil spring 58 virtually operatively engages with the free end of the power arm 45 of the lever 37 so as to permit said lever 37 to operate the stem 34 responsive to the movements of the connecting-rod 50 when the stem is free of the stop 35 and yields so as to permit of full stoppage of the movements of the lever 37 when the stem 34 is engaged with the stop 35. Thus while the coil spring 58 is really working all the time it yields only when the stop 35 is in use, and during which condition the block 55 carrying the pin 59 for the lever 37 is lifted from the seat 56.

The drive for the connecting-rod 50 is the eccentric pin 4'7 and the ninety degree period for synchronized movement corresponds to bottom quadrant, divided equally by the'vertical radius or diameter.

The invention disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive is applicable in various other combinations, two

' of which are shown in the remaining figures in stance it is the shaft for the cutter-supporting roll that is extended for use as the control shaft 75, the said cutter shaft 74 .being driven for power through the variable speed device 76, which is like the device 26 already described. Thus means are provided for maintaining synchronism during cutting of the feed and the cut-off and for providing unsynchronism with the consequent variation in the length of cut-bi! during the portion of the cycle remote from such cutting.

Thus in the forms of Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive provision is made for feeding the stock continuously and uniformly and for varying the rate of movement for the cutter shaft.

The modification of Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive reverses this condition in that the revolutions per minute of the cutter shaft may be continuous and uniform and the rate of feed of the stock. may be varied by the use of the variable speed device and associated devices, including the stop 35 for the stem 34. Thus provision is made for synchronism during cutting and unsynchronism remote from the cutting period.

In the structure of Fig. 9 the control shaft 98 is separate from the cutter shaft 97 in lieu of an extension thereof as in the other forms but is operatively the equivalent in that it is driven at the same speed. I

The eccentric pin 4'? is operatively connected to the control stem 34 of the variable speed device so as to tend to drive the same by a rythmatic or harmonic movement when free to do so; when the pin is at the lowest point, coincident with the vertical diameter, the stem is at the highest elevation and the delivered speed is the maximum; the reverse condition exists when the pin 47 is at the high point, coincident with the vertical diameter; with the pin intermediate these points there is reduction of speed, as when the stem'34 is stopped by the stop 35; and when there is movement of the stem there is variation of speed.

When the stem 34 is stopped by the stop 35 there is a synchronized relation of feed and cutoff and this relation may be designated as a straight-line condition. When there is movement of the stem 34 there is unsynchronism and also a varying rythmatic or harmonic condition as to feed and cut-off under conditions of use.

In all of the different modifications the relation of fed and cut-01f is under automatic control of devices that operate in harmony with the cutter shaft, the cycle being confined to the period corresponding to one revolution of said cutter shaft.

I claim as my invention:-

1. In mechanism for providing a variable relation of feed and cut-off, a cutting-off machine comprising in combination feed rolls, cutting devices, and drive means, and connecting means operatively connecting said drive means with said 35 rolls and cutting devices continuously and uninterruptedly under operating conditions, said connecting means comprising means for varying the operating relation of said rolls and cutting devices, and means associated with said connecting means effecting a synchronous relation of said rolls and cutting devices during a relatively long period of operation such as to include and extend beyond the time element that is utilized for the actual severing of the material that is operated 45 upon.

2. In a cutting-off machine for cutting stock while in motion, feed rolls and cutting devices and common drive means therefor, and means substantially restricted to avariable speed device incorporated in said drive means and adapted to be operated automatically under operating conditions for permitting of alternating synchronous and unsynchronous relations of said feed rolls and cutting devices.

3.'In a cutting-off machine as described in claim 2, positive stop means for said variable speed device for checking the same for permitting of such synchronous relation.

4. In a cutting-off machine as described in claim 2, said variable speed device being provided with accessible means for control, and devices cooperating with said accessible means for control for effecting such automatic operation.

5. In a cutting-off machine as described in claim 2, mechanism for permitting of maintaining synchronous operation for the necessary period for cutting heavy material without involving a dragging or sliding effect upon said cutting devices.

6. In a cutting-off machine, a variable speed device incorporated in a power driven feed and cutting-off combination serving generally as means for permitting of providing of unsynchronous operation and means operating responsive to operating conditions serving to positively check said variable speed device and permit of synchronous operation during periods of sufficient duration for efficient cutting of relatively heavy material.

'7. In a cutting-off machine, interconnected feed rolls and cutting devices, a variable speed device in the connecting means therefor provided with accessible control means, a control shaft making one revolution for each cutting of the stock, eccentric operated means connecting said control shaft and said control means for efiecting changes in said variable speed device, and said eccentric operated means being provided with a yielding connection in association with stop means for checking such changes in said variable speed device.

8. In a cut-off machine for cutting stock while being fed through the machine, a motor, operating means respectively, for effecting the feeding of the stock and for effecting the cutting thereof, individual connecting means intermediate said motor and said operating means serving to maintain continuous and uninterrupted operative connection for each and both thereof under operating conditions, and a variable speed device incorporated in one only of said connecting means.

9. In cutting stock while in motion involving cutting single pieces of stock during successive cycles of operation, the use of a variable speed device that is varied during each and all of such cycles.

10. A machine provided with a. variable speed combination comprising two closely associated shafts that drive respectively devices that at critical periods of their revolutions require synchronous conditions of operation, a common motor for said shafts, connecting means intermediate said motor andone of said shafts being substantially direct, connecting means intermediate said motor and the other of said shafts comprising a variable speed device that has a receiving shaft on the side of said motor and a delivery shaft on the side of said other shaft, with said delivery shaft substantially directly connected to said other shaft, and control means operated in synchronism with said other shaft operating to effect automatic control of said variable speed device, said variable speed device being provided with accessible control mechanism for operating responsive to said control means.

11. A machine as described in claim 10, stop devices adapted to restrict the operation of said control means.

12. In a cutting-off machine, a cutter shaft for operating cutting devices, a feed shaft for operating stock feeding devices, a common motor for said shafts, a variable speed device intermediate said motor and one of said shafts that is adapted to permit of synchronous operation of said shafts, and means responsive to operation of said outter shaft for controlling said variable speed device so as to effect unsynchronous relation of said shafts during part of the cyclic period between successive operations of the said cutting devices.

13. In cutting stock while in motion involving cutting off single pieces of stock during successive cycles of operation, the use of a variable speed device for varying the speed during such cycles, and devices operative to control the speed varying effect of said variable speed device so as to obtain a straight-line effect during a period that comprises the cutting operation.

14. In an automatic flying shear, in combination,meansfor feeding stookthrough said machine, means for cutting said stock successively into lengths while in motion, and length control means for varying the time period between successive cuttings relatively to the rate of such feeding of the stock, auxiliary means associated with said length control means for effecting a straight line condition during the cutting operation, and said length control means being restricted substantially to a variable speed device and 8880-.- ciated devices for varying the same under operating conditions for effecting such variation of the time period.

15. In an automatic flying shear as described in claim 14, said auxiliary means for effecting the straight line condition comprising means for checking the said associated devices and thus preventing variations of the variable speed device during the cutting operation.

KARL WILLIAM HALLDEN. 

